Week 18 No Cofee, No Problem!

     Hey, hey cute friends and family! It was another amazing and beautiful week here in Oregon! Still loving Coos Bay, my companion and teaching others the Joy that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ:) I hope all is going well with everyone! I think about each and everyone of you very often! I am so grateful for all of your support and love. It means the world to me! Please feel free to reach out anytime and let me know if there is anything I can do for you or if there is anyone I can pray for.

     

     Monday: A cute member of our ward raises goats...lots of them. Last p day we got to play with them! One of them was just born two days before we went over. They were absolutely PRECIOUS! 

     Tuesday: We met with a lady named Barbara that was referred to us a couple weeks ago as a basher. When we did an online zoom call a couple weeks ago to do family history she was nothing but sweet! We found out that she and I are 9th cousins twice removed and that is enough for her to love me so much that she messages me multiple times a day! Haha! She started off very weary of our church and called us a cult many times but she is now interested and wants to learn more! We had a bible study with her and were able to answer so many of her questions! It's amazing to see people's hearts soften! Later in the evening we went to the Dennings for dinner and a message about family history (as you can tell from the last couple weeks I really like family history:))! To end the day we went to the Nelson's, who live in their mortuary. To be honest I was really freaked out to be there. So I decided to make light of the situation by being the smart aleck that I am and asked "how's business going?" Brother Nelson quickly responded with "It's dead." and I seriously could not contain myself ahah!

     Wednesday: Zone Conference in Eugene! I love zone conference. I love the road trip, seeing all of my favorite missionaries and being spiritually enlightened! This zone conference felt a little extra special! I was able to be reunited with all three of my companions and spend the day with them. At zone conference we roleplayed 1 minute messages! One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is teaching! I love roleplays and practicing new ways to teach:) After the meetings we had dinner at Texas Roadhouse! On my way to the bathroom I met a sweet old woman. When she saw my tag she started asking questions about the church. We got talking and she told me she was a member but she hasn't been in years due to not having a ride. She expressed how she really wants to come back! We were able to help get her in contact with the Eugene missionaries. It was a small and simple reminder that nothing happens by coincidence.

     Thursday: Ahh Thursday was a bitter sweet day. I had to say goodbye to my sweet Brenda.  We had lunch together and reminised about our memories and talked about the future! It was hard saying goodbye but as Brenda said "its not goodbye its see you later." Brenda Is amazing and I know God needed our paths to cross. She has helped me to become a better person! I know she's going to touch and change so many people's lives like she did mine. Later at night we had a lesson with our friend, Mary, who is such a cute old lady! We have been teaching her since my first transfer and seeing her progress makes me so happy. She started off not knowing the what faith and humility is and now she truly understands God's love and plan for her. She knows the church is true and wants to be baptized but she isnt ready to commit. But we are making progress and today was the most responsive and receptive she's ever been! It was definitely a miracle! We had a little sleepover with a couple other sisters and it was so much fun! 

     Friday: Friday started off with the BEST news EVER! During our comp study Phyllis gave us a call and proudly said, "guess what?! I haven't had coffee in a week and I don't even like the taste of it anymore!" We are so proud of her! GOD IS WORKING MIRACLES IN HER LIFE! We met with Hailee at the cutest Christian cafe, we talked about the Holy Ghost and the blessings that come from the constant companionship we are promised at our baptism and confirmation. We hoped to put her on date for baptism, but weren't able to fully resolve her concerns. She is struggling with putting her faith in God and trusting that if she gets baptized He will continue to help her learn and be clean. She comes to church every week, invites her friends and even bears her testimony in sacrament! Its a process and it's one thats helping me practice patience and faith. After we met online with someone who wanted to know about God's plan for him! We were really excited to meet with him until we realized all he wanted to know was "where's the women God wants me to marry?" Ahah kinds funny That! Friday night we headed over to our ward mission leader's house for another brick oven pizza party! This time our friends Paul, Judy, and Phyllis came :) it was so awesome and we had a blast! We celebrated all 3 off them with their accomplishments in quitting coffee with some sparkling cider!!! (Cute picture below)

    Saturday was yet another awesome day :) we went to the Barnt's house to teach the kiddos a little family history and it was so awesome! They caught on to it so fast and have already found so many people that they are excited to preform the proxy ordinances for. Gathering Israel is pretty much the greatest thing and brought everyone there so much joy! For dinner we went over the the Houcks home! Sister Houck heard that I love my hair braided (because it reminds me of my momma) and told me to bring my hair stuff ahha!  It felt like getting ready for prom all over again. We finished up the night with going to the Meads to plan for Paul's baptism! Let me tell you they are one of a kind! 1) they are inviting their friends to church 2) driving Phyllis to church 3) fellowshipping Phyllis and the friends they bring along too. Pretty much they are a golden member and soon to be member.

SPIRITUAL:

This week while teaching I told one of my friends something that I want to share with all of you! I was thinking about our relationships with people! What makes a good relationship is getting to know a person and understanding them. The more we get to know them often times the more we love them! It's the same way with our Savior Jesus Christ. The more we study His word and come to know him the more our relationship with him will improve and be strengthened. I know that as we study and learn of him we will exemplify his qualities! Just like relationships with our friends and family take work so does our relationship with our Savior. I promise each and everyone of you that as you read, pray and take time to reflect you will grow a closer more intimate relationship with the savior. 

     Have a wonderful week! I love love love all of you! 

♡ Sister Parry

-Reunited with my BEST FRIENDS

-My BRENDA

-Swedish Fish fix;)

-Celebrating no coffee for Phyllis!

-My ward mission leader wrote a book??? Quarkyest guy I know ahha

-Family history with the Barnts!